Discovered in 1762, Allium nigrum is named for its black-eyed florets. Large - 2 to 3cm across - with creamy white petals, lilac to purple stamens and green veins, they give an old-fashioned luxurious depth to nigrum's flat-topped conical flowers (10cm/4" across), which are each made of some 20 to 30 of them. Long broad leaves and substantial stems add to this effect.

Allium nigrum is one of the earliest to flower, and it does best in fertile well-drained soil.